Finally had a chance (and the justification) to fit my new 1″ 1.3TPI, TCT resaw blade on the bandsaw today.

Before I get into what I think of the blade, (and as far as bandsaw blades go, it wasn’t particularly cheap), I’ll mention what prompted me to splurge on a replacement blade.

I was trying to resaw some kiln dried hardwood (Tassie Oak), that was around 200mm wide. I was using a 1″ 1.3TPI blade that came prepackaged from a woodwork supplier. Not sure if it was a carbon blade, but I strongly suspect so. I was struggling. The blade was complaining bitterly, the amount of force needed to push the timber through the blade was getting stupid (the range of force needed is “butter”, “easy”, “moderate”, “hard”, “difficult”, “impossible”, “dangerous”, “stupid”), and I was blowing the circuit breaker on the bandsaw circuit continuously (it isn’t rated particularly high, so trips way to easily). To the point that I was oping for the 15A tablesaw to do the resawing, taking a couple of passes to cleave the timber.

So onto today. More resawing required. Fitted the TCT blade with a bit of trepidation – what if it isn’t much better?

The blade fitted, tensioned, and finally the timber ready to cut. I touched the end to the blade (to make a mark to ensure I was centred). Well I meant to touch the end. Being so used to the previous blade, I put a little bit of pressure in, and immediately sliced into the timber over 5mm. Whoa.

Checked I was centred, then fed the timber in, through, and out the other side (1800mm) cleaved in twain without beginning to try. I need a new category for ease – “Soft butter” And this was hardwood. Be very interesting the day I need to resaw some serious Aussie hardwood. Do not expect this blade to have any trouble – wonder how easy it will be!

It goes to show, the right blade, a quality blade makes it so much easier, safer, enjoyable. So the blade was $180 or so. After experiencing what it could do, it is worth every cent. Just a pity I can’t get blades thinner than 1″ with a TCT. Not that the bimetal 1/2″ blade has been any slouch either.

As mentioned earlier, purchased from Henry Bros Saws if you want your bandsaw to become everything it can be! Sounds like a sales pitch (perhaps it should be!) but no.